Groups: City Should Aid Immigrant Sandy Victims

Organizations that help immigrants in Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn made the request Friday

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Community groups are pressing New York City to use part of some $41 million raised in a charitable fund to help Sandy victims who can't apply for federal help because they're immigrants living in the United States illegally.

Organizations that help immigrants in Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn made the request Friday. The money would aid immigrants who can't benefit from Federal Emergency Management Agency money or temporary housing options.

Local activists say hundreds of immigrants need urgent help.

Immigrants living illegally in the U.S. can apply for federal help only if they have children born in the U.S. or live with a U.S. citizen or what's known as a "qualified alien."

City Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Fatima Shama says the city is studying options to help.